Cracks Aren't Made for Crack

It has been a while since my last posting, I think hangovers/vacations/and overall lazy tendencies play a factor in that but here we go....

So, in the newsroom our lifeline is a system called "ENPS" in this lovely program we send out notes for everyone to see, we can keep track of  local/national/world wide news.  Without this system I think we would drown daily in sticky notes.


In this system we can create "lines" which will contain all the information about a particular story.

A lot of what goes into the "grid" as we like to call it, are police reports/press releases and events that are  happening.

One of the most important things we have to do on the assignment desk is slug the stories so they catch the producers eye and also don't get lost in the shuffle of a busy rundown.

Now, one might ask, how do you "slug" something to catch a producers eye? Simple...involve drugs...body parts...and something you only learn through diversity.

For example: we received a press release from Middletown Police Department outlining a recent drug arrest...the best part of this....the man who was arrested decided it would be a fun time to shove his illegal stash of crack in his butt to hide it from police...So slugging this was easy...

Yes Rob, I stole your instagram photo 
This message was sent out to the entire newsroom, there is usually a loud dinging on some peoples computer alerting them of a new top-line message...this one held no prisoners....the roar of laughter and jokes were endless on this one.

Now, another way we use ENPS is to request things....like producers asking us if there is a mugshot/video/pictures available.  Producers often say "Need FS" or "Need Mugshot"...If you are confused, that is ok, I never know what is going on either.

Anyway, we recently ran a story about a man running naked through a park in my current city of residence...New Britain.  The assignment desk slugged the story "New Britain Nude Man".  Simple enough...

But there was more fun to be had....the naked runner was arrested and booked on a few charges...ya know...for running around a public place in the buff.  So Senior Producer Amy wanted a copy of this guys mugshot so she could show it during her show...but the difference is...she used the words "NEED FS" instead of "NEED MUGSHOT", so everyone thought she wanted a picture of the naked man in the park...she says she didn't....but the proof is in the top line.

Amy needs a full screen of the nude man

So, when I get ready to sent out a note, I think to myself...

1) Is this top-line going to become an Instagram?
2) Will it make sense/get me fired?
3) How inappropriate can I make it?

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